Utley could be a Phillie for five more years

Posted by Mandy Housenick | August 08, 2013 at 03:58 PM

So we were already pretty sure Chase Utley would be here for the next two years, and we thought the third year was a good possibility too.

The Phillies finally officially announced the second baseman's contract extension, and surprised many people when they said Utley could actually be here a total of five more years. He would be 39 during the last year of the contract.

His 2014-15 seasons are guaranteed with vesting options for 2016-18, the club announced during Thursday's game.

According to Ken Rosenthal from FOXSports.com, Utley will make $27 million over the next two years, but he can earn up to $75 million by the time the contract expires.

“Chase
epitomizes everything we expect our Phillies to be," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "As we've said before, we
see Chase as a true Phillie for life. This
contract moves us toward that end. We couldn't be more pleased.”

Utley, who will be 35 when spring training rolls around next year, received three vesting options, each
worth $15 million, Rosenthal reported. Each of his options will vest at 500 plate appearances, a total he has not exceeded since 2009 when he had 511 plate appearances.

If Utley fails to get to 500 plate appearances in 2016, 2017 or 2018, his option would revert to a conditional club option, sources told Rosenthal. The
value of those options would range from $5 million to $11 million,
depending upon how many days he spent on the disabled list the previous
season.

The value of those options will depend upon how many days he spent on the disabled list the previous season.

Utley and Amaro are expected to meet with the media 30 minutes after this game against the Cubs ends.